"In this penny-pinching economy, is there such a thing as guilt-free shopping? Finding $50 J Brand jeans and a $20 Tracy Reese dress doesn't feel so bad. Coming home with something you love in exchange for something you no longer want - priceless."

ART FOR CHARITY
Style Swap raises awareness and support for ART FOR CHARITY, an annual Michael Mitchell event featuring original work from more than 30 regional artists. Proceeds from ART FOR CHARITY events throughout the month will benefit Crisis Ministries, Komen Lowcountry, Roper St. Francis Ryan White Program, Charleston Waterkeeper, Friends of MUSC Children’s Hospital, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. All proceeds from raffle prizes and sponsored swap outfits will be donated to ART FOR CHARITY.

BACKGROUND:
For the past five years, Wilmington, NC-based Style Girl Jess James has hosted a few dozen “Style Swaps,” inviting women to comb through their closets and select one gently worn, still stylish item and one accessory to swap.

Given these eco-minded (re-use), and recession era (reduce) times, these Style Swap events have proven again and again to be just what women of all ages and styles are seeking - a night of economizing and socializing in the spirit of great style. Jess is now hosting Style Swaps in Wilmington, Raleigh, Charleston and Columbia generating buzz throughout the Southeast - and come February 23, she is bringing Style Swap back to Charleston for the sixth Style Swap with the help of PR guru Katie Kern of Circa PR.

STYLE SWAP ON TV?44 Blue Production Development Manager Arielle Worona is flying in from LA to attend Style Swap Charleston to experience one of Jess James's Style Swaps firsthand to determine if the concept may work as 44 Blue's next style-based reality TV show. 44 Blue's "House of Consignment "reality show based on Chicago-based fashionista Corri McFadden's online high-end consignment business Edrop-off will air on VH1 this Spring.

"It's exciting to think about. If the show were to get picked up, 44 Blue has expressed interest in concentrating the Style Swaps in the South so Charleston would definitely have a big presence."

Style Girl Jess James, style columnist for the Star-News, contributing
writer and stylist for North Carolina Signature Magazine /
Our State and Focus on the Coast Fashion Editor, has continued to seek
opportunities intertwining her passion for fashion with her day job.
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